Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an indicative time frame for the production and passage of a Gender Recognition Bill. [20597/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Since the publication of the Report, the Department have been engaged in discussions with the relevant medical health professionals and with representatives from interested NGOs. The Department has also sought advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the main issues arising in the context of these meetings. These discussions, and the advice that is received from the Office of the Attorney General, will continue to inform the drafting of the Heads of a Bill.

The Government Decision also provides for the consultation with the GRAG in the context of the drafting of the Heads and I will be doing this when advice is received from the Office of the Attorney General.

It is not possible to be definitive at this stage about when I will be in a position to introduce legislation to give legal recognition to the acquired gender of transgender persons as the issues are complex. However, I hope that the drafting of the Heads of a Bill will be completed by June of this year.